My decision to not have kids is primarily guided by the fear that my kids would despise me as much I do my own mother. I love kids. But I hear my mom in my voice sometimes when I speak to my friends' children, when I lose my patience. Before she died last year, My beloved grandmother (whom my mother openly despised when I was growing up) looked me square in the face and said, "I think you should really think about it before you have children. Are you sure?" It was liberating.

Oh man, Eliza Rosenberry, I had to re-read that a few times to be sure I didn't write that myself...because I totally 100% relate. Thanks, I feel a little less lonely on my birthday, but, (dismay) not like less of a terrible person.